SALMON/TROUT

Supply of Atlantic salmon remains adequate for quiet demand.  Pricing is softer for smaller fish, while 2 up and 3 up pound fillets remain steady. Delivery continues to be a problem, especially for Chilean fillets. Logistics, summer storms and inadequate infrastructure continue to be issues.The Northwest augments quantities with fillets as well as portion cuts. Our many sources of supply allow Seattle Fish Company to provide customers with uninterrupted salmon delivery.

Americans consume 22% more seafood than 10 years ago and a big segment of that increase is trout. Why trout? No other fish consumed in Colorado conjures up images of high mountain fishing, campfires and fine dining. Versatile and affordable, delicate and distinctive, trout’s unique flavor is delicious by itself or combined with a special sauce or stuffing. If you are on the wild side, Steelhead from the Quillutte River is the ticket. Supply of these 7–9 lb. wild trout should remain steady throughout the winter, weather and quota permitting.

CATFISH

Another reasonably priced fish is farm-raised catfish. The misconception of catfish tasting brackish or muddy comes from thoughts of fishing in muddy river bottoms where PCBs and toxins can reside in the fat of wild catfish for years. Such is not the case with farm catfish, raised in clean clay bottom ponds in the Delta.  Farm-raised catfish has a deliciously clean, mild flavor, and is eco-friendly and sustainable. Ask you sales rep for details and pricing.

WEST COAST

Severe weather patterns have finally loosened their grip and we are seeing true cod, rock cod, Pacific Dover sole and some black cod from the Northwest and Alaska. Cordova has been buried with record snowfall. Dungeness crab, an early season bust, is showing signs of life with the January 15 opening of Northern California waters. Increased production is synonymous with lower boat prices. Opening of the Alaska Snow Crab season has softened prices, but King Crab remains just that – king of very high prices.

If you are looking for fresh uni, the red sea urchin from Southern California arguably features the finest uni in the world. The uni we buy is the same product that typically fetches the highest price on Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market. In addition to urchin, our San Diego fishmongers provide us with yellowtail, snapper, fresh Mexican shrimp and stone crabs, local swordfish, grouper and Mexican bay scallops.

EAST COAST

Limited days at sea, coupled with winter weather, stifle supply and increase prices for sea scallops, a situation that will remain until the season reopens March 1. On the bright side, trips have been very short and quality has been excellent. Ask your Seattle Fish Company sales rep which size fresh or frozen might be your best scallop option.

Ground fishing is showing some signs of life with a choice of haddock, cod, dabs and monkfish. Try the wild black sea bass, an excellent menu choice this week. Wild striped bass season opens again in Virginia on February 1. East Coast swordfish and tuna prices remain very strong.

Lobster prices have increased due to increased demand and very windy conditions. A bigger issue, however, is the Canadian lobster industry. Nova Scotia lobstermen are weighing options as lobster prices promise to bring in 30% less value this year than last. One of their options is to attempt a strike. Price to the customer always has to be tempered with price support to the producer. Our prediction is a spike in prices for the next two months.

SHELLFISH

The last market report touted the great number of oysters sold over the holiday season. Business typically slows in January, but oyster sales are staying very strong, proof of the selection and excellent quality offered by Seattle Fish Company. It could also be our team of shellfish experts assisting your choices. Whatever the reason, buy oysters. This week, we are featuring Peter’s Points from Massachusetts and Fishhook Fjord from Hood Canal in Washington State. The Peter’s Points are bag raised, then planted on the ocean floor and hand harvested. This oyster has a blast of brine with a faint hint of sweetness. They are deep-cupped and meaty, a perfect complement to a full-bodied white wine. The Fishhook Fjords are harvested by the Hama Hama Company. The farm is very influential and is able to secure special harvest spots along Hood Canal. The Fishhooks are beach grown with a nice, firm shell and tend to the mildly salty, and finish with a melon-like aftertaste common to the Pacific oyster.

The winter hard shell clams are pristine this time of year. Try our 100 count littleneck or the 40 count cherrystone. Your food cost is very transparent with our count clams. Flavorful and consistent, hard shell clams from Seattle Fish Company are perfect for your menus. Prince Edward Island mussels and Manilas from the Pacific Northwest complete our extensive offering. Specialty shellfish such as razor clams, abalone, cockles and green lip mussels are available. Ask your sales rep for details.

GULF

Vessels tied up for celebration of Chinese New Year are creating a scarcity of fish in the Gulf region, especially yellowfin tuna. Boats that are fishing have not returned to port. We are hoping for better availability this week. Tuesday will likely be the earliest tuna boats return the Dulac docks in Louisiana. We haven’t discussed our Gulf Wild program lately, but when available we buy red snapper and grouper . Individually tagged, information of the catch is available on mygulfwild.com. Pinpointing catch area within 10 square miles, the names of the boat and boat captain are easily accessible. All fishermen adhere to the allowable catch share program. Check it out!

Gulf swordfish is also showing up in greater numbers and slightly lower pricing. Mahimahi prices are creeping downwards and availability is good.The oyster, shrimp and crab industry is starting to rebound, so make Gulf seafood part of your offering.

GREAT LAKES

Fresh walleye has been available; let’s hope it continues.  Winter is typically a slow time for lake fishing, but ice is hardened enough to allow ice fishing. Supplies are limited, but if available we will buy them.  Check with your sales rep for availability this week.

HAWAII

Honolulu auction numbers have tapered since the holiday season.  The fleet is not yet fully operational. Prices have been high due to strong demand and limited Gulf availability. Exacerbating the issue are foreign boats mostly manned with celebrants of the Chinese New Year. We expect prices to settle later this week, allowing purchase of bigeye tuna, monchong, marlin, spearfish and opah, shipped with same-day directly to Denver. The Hawaiian swordfish season will be in full swing in late February and March.

SUSTAINABILITY

Seattle Fish Company is resolute in our commitment to sustainability and transparency.  We support fisheries that sustain or are able to increase production without harming the ecosystem and encourage fishery improvement projects aimed at bringing substandard practices to compliance.

Regards,

Harry Mahleres
Director of Purchasing

Harry@seattlefish.com
303.329.9595 ext. 121